CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the state budget stretched as thin as it can go, a Monongalia County delegate is proposing giving local county governments the power to pay for their own road improvement projects.
Republican 51st District Delegate Joe Statler is the driving force behind HB4009 that moved out of the transportation committee this week, which would empower counties to put a road bond issue to raise the local sales up to one percent for road projects in that county.
“Basically it would allow counties some control, with home rule, to help themselves to work on these issues,” explained Statler on Metronews Talkline.
Across the state 20 municipalities have already been granted Home Rule and some, including Bridgeport, have already passed ordinances implementing a local one percent sales tax. Statler said implementing an additional one percent on top of that is a concern.
“I would hope the counties and cities could sit down and work on these issues and come up with something that is fair that could work with the taxpayers out there. Sometimes you have to sit down and come up with a solution that is good for all.”
The bill that was approved by the House Transportation Committee was amended to require a 60 percent majority. The bill still needs to clear the House Finance before it can move on to the full house and then to the senate.